Lectionary: 471
Reading 1
eph 1:11-14
Brothers and sisters:
In Christ we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
In him you also, who have heard the word of truth,
the Gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
which is the first installment of our inheritance
toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
Responsorial Psalm
ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13
R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
For upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down;
he sees all mankind.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Gospel
lk 12:1-7
At that time:
So many people were crowding together
that they were trampling one another underfoot.
Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples,
“Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.
“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness
will be heard in the light,
and what you have whispered behind closed doors
will be proclaimed on the housetops.
I tell you, my friends,
do not be afraid of those who kill the body
but after that can do no more.
I shall show you whom to fear.
Be afraid of the one who after killing
has the power to cast into Gehenna;
yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.
Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?
Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.
Do not be afraid.
You are worth more than many sparrows.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE DOWNPAYMENT
"When you heard the glad tidings of salvation, the word of truth, and believed in it, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit Who had been promised." –Ephesians 1:13
We're all going to rise from the dead. Those who believe in Jesus and have lived for Him will see Him face to face and be perfectly happy forever with Him in heaven. We know this because the Lord has revealed it to us through His Church and Word.
Many people, however, deny such things as resurrection from the dead, Judgment Day, heaven, and hell. They live as if this life is all there is (see 1 Cor 15:32). To confirm us in our belief in eternal happiness, our heavenly Father and Jesus have sent the Holy Spirit. "We yearn to have our heavenly habitation envelop us" (2 Cor 5:2). "God has fashioned us for this very thing and has given us the Spirit as a Pledge of it" (2 Cor 5:5). "He is the Pledge of our inheritance, the first Payment against the full redemption of a people God has made His own, to praise His glory" (Eph 1:14). By the Holy Spirit, we experience God's love, have an awe in His presence, become empowered by His gifts, receive true freedom, and are transformed into God's image and likeness.
This amazing life in the Spirit is the first payment, the pledge of our inheritance. We won't live long enough to personally experience the fulfillment of many of God's promises. By the Spirit, however, we will experience a few of God's wondrous works. These initial experiences confirm us in our faith that everything else the Lord has promised will be done (see Jos 23:14). Those of us who are alive in the Spirit have seen enough of God's glory to know that it's all true. Alleluia! Come, Holy Spirit!
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, be as active as possible in my life.
PROMISE: "Fear nothing, then. You are worth more than a flock of sparrows." –Lk 12:7
PRAISE: St. Ignatius advised his flock: "Turn a deaf ear to the talk of anyone whose language has nothing to do with Jesus Christ."
Be an inspiration, kindly Share.
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